Page 68 of Ezra
Talking to him already makes me feel better. I don’t know if Schroeder will return to his penthouse and notice him missing. But that’s an issue better left for tomorrow. I eventually fall asleep with Charlie curled against my chest.
A few weeks later, on move-in day, I triumphantly step into my new flat in downtown New Carnegie. Charlie is now a permanent resident—I called Schroeder the day after I discovered him, and my father’s old friend wouldn’t hear any talk of me returning him. Something about his little gratification drive being made up, and there’s no use trying to change it. So, Charlie is now myonly roommate. And he is currently hiding in my room under the bed, scared of all the noise.
“This is it,” I declare as my friends shuffle inside to look themselves. “It’s not big or ritzy, but it’s perfect for me.”
Zoey’s out of the hospital and wearing a cast on her leg. I tried to talk her out of helping me move, but she insisted, tired of being similarly cooped up. She holds her boyfriend’s hand, squeaking excitedly.
“This is gorgeous, Kat! Look at that view!” She pulls him over to the wide windows that oversee the street. In the distance, the New Carnegie skyline is outlined by the morning sun.
“This isn’t bad at all.” Zoey’s boyfriend, Bridger, lets out an impressed whistle. “You’re doing pretty well for yourself with a place like this, huh?”
“Not bad, no,” I agree humbly. I’m already in love with the pretty kitchen tiles under my heels, the lush ivory carpet. This space is mine, and I can’t wait to make it my own.
“Well, I’ll leave you ladies to it,” Bridger says, stealing a kiss from Zoey. They share a small, lingering moment of affection that I quickly look away from, not wishing to become envious. He really stepped up when Zoey was in the hospital, moving from “that guy” she’s been casually seeing off and onto exclusive material. “Shoot me a text when you’re ready for me to pick you up.”
“Okay, babe.” Zoey tucks her hair behind an ear, watching him leave. “Bye!”
I’m happy for her, and I’m trying not to be reminded of the fact I can’t have what she has. Not right now. Ezra’s face, his voice in my ear, the night we spent with his hands on me, threaten to all surface in the back of my mind. I push them down. I can avoid them more easily during the day.
“The movers should be here any minute with my furniture,” I say. “What should we do in the meantime?”
“Get your walk-in closet all set, obviously,” Zoey replies, chipper, as she makes her way into the master bedroom. She grabs a box. “By the time we’re done today, you’ll have a cozy new room and not a box in sight!”
“That’s ambitious,” I muse.
“Never underestimate my unpacking skills,” Zoey says with a grin. “I’m just so glad you’re back. Are you excited for the museum’s reopening next month?”
“I am. We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
“Did you hear Dr. Vaughn got one of those android sensors for the entrance?”
“After what happened, I’m glad. It’ll hopefully catch some of these TerraPura psychopaths,” I say as I unlock a bin full of my shoes. Itsk. “You know, I’m not sure I wear half of these.”
“You will once you don’t have to go digging for them.” Zoey snatches the bin from me. “Lesson one of a walk-in closet: shoe display.”
I’m appreciative of the all-encompassing distraction that is Zoey. She’s bright and bubbly, and it’s a relief to see that what happened hasn’t slowed her down in the slightest. I’m honestly a little surprised at how quickly she bounced back. She’s made of strong stuff.
When the movers arrive, they set up my bedroom completely, my living room with a couch and an entertainment console, and my office where I can lead livestreams, interviews, and study when I finally enroll into a graduate program. The movers recognize me and go above and beyond what most workers would do. They even mount my sleek TV on the wall and install my soundbar that can be used to play music on command in any room.
“Thank you so much,” I tell them. “You really didn’t have to do this.”
“It’s our pleasure, ma’am.” One tips his grody hat to me. He’s covered in dirt and sweat and has the biggest grin on his face. “I got laid off from Carnegie Steel. I appreciate what you and your pops have been doing.”
I’m embarrassed by his praise. I don’t feel like I’m doing enough to merit that kind of admiration. “Thanks, but Dad and I haven’t been able to win anyone’s jobs back.”
“Not true. I hear there’s a big lawsuit cooking against my old employer, and with the big-name lawyers backing it? It’ll hopefully give us some justice, at the very least,” the man replies. “I just wish BioNex would’ve kept to family droids rather than going this corporate route. Everything was damn near perfect before old Schroeder stepped down.”
“What do you mean?” I ask as I pull out my wallet while he readies a tablet for my payment.
“My wife has trouble getting around. Our android, Sascha, has been a big help. He doesn’t do anyone any wrong. We need him, you know? But with everything going on, it’s a damn shame. It’s like there’s no room for those of us who are straight down the middle, reasonable people.”
I’ve been dreading working on my social media, but the mover’s words give me hope. Maybe there are more people willing to compromise, acknowledge androids and their place in society, than I realized. I thank him for sharing his opinion with me, give him and his coworkers the biggest tip I can afford to brighten their day, and get back to helping Zoey with my closet.
When we finish, I rest my hands on my hips, feeling a bit sore from the ups, downs, crouches, and moving around I’ve done all day, and admire our work. “I’m starving, Zoey. What do you want me to order?”
She doesn’t hesitate. “Pizza and beer! It’s a moving-in tradition. You order it, and I’ll have Bridger pick it up and bring it.”
“Done.”
